Death with Dignity Introduction

What is death with dignity? Under the Oregon, Washington, and Vermont Death with Dignity laws, terminally ill patients who are mentally competent to make their own medical care decisions may request a prescription of medication to hasten their deaths. These patients must also be able to self-administer the medication. http://www.deathwithdignity.org/terminology

History: Three states have enacted Death with Dignity laws: Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. These laws allow mentally competent, terminally-ill adult state residents to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to hasten their death. This is one of many end-of-life care options available in Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. Oregon voters approved of their Death with Dignity Act in 1994 and confirmed their support in 1997. Oregon's law went into effect in 1997. The voters of Washington passed their law in 2008 and it was implemented in 2009 after no credible legal challenges. Vermont became the third state with a Death with Dignity law in 2013. http://www.deathwithdignity.org/acts

How does it work? You must be resident of Oregon, Washington, or Vermont. You must be 18 years of age or older. You must be capable of making and communicating health care decisions for yourself. You must be diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months. Two physicians must determine whether these criteria have been met. http://www.deathwithdignity.org/access-acts

How does it work? Request Timeline: First oral request to your physician 15 day waiting period Second oral request to your physician Written request to your physician 48 hour waiting period before you can pick up your prescribed medications Patient may pick up prescribed medications from the pharmacy http://www.deathwithdignity.org/access-acts

How does it work? Safeguards: verbally requests the medication from the physician twice; each request is separated by 15 days make a written request to the attending physician; the request is witnessed by two individuals who are not primary care givers or family members can rescind the verbal and written requests at any time must be able to self-administer and ingest the prescribed medication http://www.deathwithdignity.org/access-acts

How does it work? The law further requires... The attending physician must be licensed in the same state as the patient. The physician's diagnosis must include a terminal illness, with six months or less to live. The diagnosis must be certified by a consulting physician, who must also certify that the patient is mentally competent to make and communicate health care decisions. If either physician determines that the patient's judgment is impaired, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. The attending physician must inform the patient of alternatives, including palliative care, hospice, and pain management options. The attending physician must request that the patient notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request. Use of the law cannot affect the status of a patient's health or life insurance policies. http://www.deathwithdignity.org/access-acts

Where might have you heard about death with dignity? Brittany Maynard http://www.thebrittanyfund.org/category/videos/

Why are we using this topic for our research paper? It’s controversial. Many people oppose the use of death with dignity as a state law. It’s relevant. A representation from Delaware is interested in supporting a bill to create a death with dignity law in Delaware. It will allow you to form an opinion for or against the topic. In the articles and videos that you will read/see, there will be many pros and cons for the topic.